The New Starbucks Policy

[Wadcutter]

Hey this new policy they have implemented is GREAT! Since you no longer have to buy anything to just generally hang around and use the rest room or whatever, I was thinking of maybe using a Starbucks table to run my new small business from. Man, just think of the office space rental fees I can save. And along with free WiFi, I bet I could even get as much free water as I want as well. God bless you Starbucks!

[Steve DeRosa]

[seannx]

Have you been at a Starbucks during the day? That’s standard procedure for about half of the people at tables. They’re working on their laptops, meeting with clients in person, or via Skype or FaceTime, and there for hours. It’s also a popular place for group meetings. When I’m traveling and have some work to do, I’ll go to the nearest Starbucks and take advantage of the Wi-Fi, bathroom, coffee, etc. No one seems to mind, and when I’d stop into my local Starbucks in Mill Valley to read the morning paper and enjoy a cup of joe, the same half a dozen people would be working there every day.

[BrunoBlack]

Originally Posted by seannx

Have you been at a Starbucks during the day? That’s standard procedure for about half of the people at tables. They’re working on their laptops, meeting with clients in person, or via Skype or FaceTime, and there for hours. It’s also a popular place for group meetings. When I’m traveling and have some work to do, I’ll go to the nearest Starbucks and take advantage of the Wi-Fi, bathroom, coffee, etc. No one seems to mind, and when I’d stop into my local Starbucks in Mill Valley to read the morning paper and enjoy a cup of joe, the same half a dozen people would be working there every day.

This has been my experience as well. Same deal in other local coffee shops & similar village venues in my community.

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by seannx

Have you been at a Starbucks during the day? That’s standard procedure for about half of the people at tables. They’re working on their laptops, meeting with clients in person, or via Skype or FaceTime, and there for hours. It’s also a popular place for group meetings. When I’m traveling and have some work to do, I’ll go to the nearest Starbucks and take advantage of the Wi-Fi, bathroom, coffee, etc. No one seems to mind, and when I’d stop into my local Starbucks in Mill Valley to read the morning paper and enjoy a cup of joe, the same half a dozen people would be working there every day.

Same down here. I use it as my office on the rare occasion when I'm working from home and my wifi goes out.

Too loud and the wifi is too slow to make it something I'd do out of choice, but I have a nice office at home which everyone doesn't.

[Wadcutter]

Originally Posted by seannx

Have you been at a Starbucks during the day? That’s standard procedure for about half of the people at tables. They’re working on their laptops, meeting with clients in person, or via Skype or FaceTime, and there for hours. It’s also a popular place for group meetings. When I’m traveling and have some work to do, I’ll go to the nearest Starbucks and take advantage of the Wi-Fi, bathroom, coffee, etc. No one seems to mind, and when I’d stop into my local Starbucks in Mill Valley to read the morning paper and enjoy a cup of joe, the same half a dozen people would be working there every day.

Well I do have to admit seannx that I’m not a big Starbucks guy myself. Their coffee tastes like burnt rubber and is way over priced if you ask me. But I will take your word for it that Starbucks is used by many already for the purposes previously discussed. Of course my tongue was firmly planted in cheek in my OP.

[Dirk Hofman]

What is their new policy? Presume it has something to do with the incident a couple of weeks ago...

[Wadcutter]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

What is their new policy? Presume it has something to do with the incident a couple of weeks ago...

I believe the new policy is basically “ Come one, come all, spend the day without spending any money.”

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by Wadcutter

I believe the new policy is basically “ Come one, come all, spend the day without spending any money.”

Gotcha. Googled it (should have in the first place) and looks like the usual outlets are trying to make hay out of it.

No surprise on any level.

[patrickgm60]

Originally Posted by Wadcutter

I believe the new policy is basically “ Come one, come all, spend the day without spending any money.”

Like Guitar Center. : )

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Wadcutter

I believe the new policy is basically “ Come one, come all, spend the day without spending any money.”

Well, as they say, "if you hang around the Starbucks long enough, you're bound to get an overpriced coffee."

But yeah, the Starbucks' (and Paneras, it seems) are very common business meeting places, and I definitely don't see everyone ordering coffee/food (though many do, of course)

Heck, last week I took my kids to Culver's after their t ball game, and the lady in the booth behind us was working with someone, planning her funeral. Uplifting.

[EdEd]

They’ve figured out it is what works best for them. I don’t understand the complaint.

Ed

[fazool]

Originally Posted by patrickgm60

Like Guitar Center. : )

Best reply (because it's so true!)

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Well, as they say, "if you hang around the Starbucks long enough, you're bound to get an overpriced coffee."....

And that's probably why they are banking on it as a business strategy. You can plan on a benefit when you give something away like that.

On a related note:

Everyone knows the stereotype/joke about cops and donuts. Well, that came from a very serious business topic:

Back in the day, donut shops were the coffee places that were open late hours.

Because of the late hours, they were at risk of being robbed.

Donut shops offered cops free coffee and donuts. Cops on patrol would stop by to get a pick-me-up or have a break. The cops got free perk while working and the donut shops had a steady stream of police on their property (essentially free security services).

[Nyghthawk]

In 1974 I worked midnights in a 7-11 store about 45 minutes south of DC. The police department office for the little community (Dumfries) was right around the block. The manager had a standing rule that cops always got free coffee for much the same reason stated above.

[SMan]

In Seattle it means you can pitch a tent